as in annoying
causing annoyance
these daily traffic jams are frustrating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in baffling
to prevent from achieving a goal
a multitude of conflicting opinions frustrated me in my attempt to find a computer that best suits my needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
challenge the math student, but don't frustrate him or her with overly difficult problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of frustrating
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
The filmmaking begins dull before becoming frustrating.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Mack and the Chargers’ defense pressured quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, frustrating them and keeping them out of their comfort zones.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frustrating
Adjective
Symptoms can overlap and evolve over time, which can feel frustrating or confusing.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
The filmmaking begins dull before becoming frustrating.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Verb
The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Mack and the Chargers’ defense pressured quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, frustrating them and keeping them out of their comfort zones.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frustrating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustrating
Adjective
-
Sixty-three percent of Glamour readers polled think lurking is annoying and also kind of creepy.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
-
For instance, many partners have small gripes or annoyances with habits that are annoying at worst, but far from an outright red flag — like a partner that chews somewhat loudly, leaves cabinet doors open or hums constantly while working.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The slow starts are baffling to Becht.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
As the castle’s internal order collapses under the weight of a string of baffling crimes, Araki strikes a fragile alliance with Kuroda Kanbei – a razor-minded captive languishing in his own dungeon – in a race to root out a traitor before Oda’s army closes in.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If an override did occur and was reversed by a manager who trusted the system's track record, the structure is actively discouraging the judgment it was built to include.—
Tiffany Archer,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
But that wasn't the only discouraging news this week.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Driver recovery can automate what used to be an irritating manual process.—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
-
No-see-um bites may be painful and irritating.—
Eva Flowe
May 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Snakes become entangled in the traps, hampering movement.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
18 May 2026
-
Further hampering communication is the high level of turnover in the top ranks of BSO personnel who work at the airport.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s something disturbing about watching these already commonplace delusions about ChatGPT — Your particular version has a soul!—
Vulture,
Vulture,
17 May 2026
-
But as dubious therapies and unsettling postcolonial rituals blur the line between wellness and manipulation, Alexa begins uncovering the disturbing forces hidden beneath the retreat’s seductive façade.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Israel says its strikes are aimed at thwarting attempts by Hamas and other Palestinian militants to stage attacks against its forces.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
-
Frey unleashed his five-pitch arsenal, thwarting the Spartans most of the way.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustrating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
